Willing The Heavens

Luna checked her wings, making sure every feather was in place.

"You look fine Luna."

Luna glanced at Celestia, already sitting properly.

"I've had them for years and still can't get them to behave."

She looked at Celestia in frustration.

"How do you keep them looking so nice?"

Celestia extended one of her wings, looking it over.

"I don't know. Maybe I'm just better at preening."

Luna frowned and went back to her own wings.

"Dumb feathers."

"If these ponies see you fidgeting constantly, they're going to think you have fleas or something."

Luna shook out her wings before letting them lay against her.

"If I have them, I'd imagine you gave them to me."

Celestia frowned at her.

"You're being awfully rude today. I had rather hoped you'd grow out of that by your age."

"It's not like you're that much older than me. Cut me some slack."

"The pony leaders won't. They're expecting to meet well-mannered alicorns."

Luna sighed, taking a seat next to Celestia.

"It's just... I keep second guessing everything. Did we make the right decision?"

Celestia looked down at the floor.

"I know this wasn't easy. But we've come this far together, and we need to keep moving forward. Everypony is counting on us."

Luna swallowed.

"That's a lot of responsibility for two ponies. We don't even have cutie marks to help guide us."

They both looked at their blank flanks. Celestia shook her head.

"We're just looking for our talents still. Besides, alicorns take longer than the average pony. Star Swirl didn't mind our lack of cutie marks."

"Where is that pony anyway? I thought he was only going to be a few minutes."

"Who knows. He seems rather...absent-minded at times."

"To say the least."

"But you can't deny his ability. I've never seen a unicorn with the kind of power he has."

"What a lovely compliment."

The sisters spun around to discover Star Swirl coming through the door.

"I just wanted to make sure you were ready to meet the leaders of the kingdoms."

Celestia straightened up and nodded.

"I'm ready."

Star Swirl glanced at Luna. She sighed and sat up.

"Me too."

Star Swirl nodded and disappeared again. He was gone for no more than a minute when the doors swung open to reveal him and three other ponies. Star Swirl stepped forward and motioned to the three.

"I am pleased to introduce Chancellor Puddinghead of the Earth Ponies, King Bullion of the Unicorns, and Commander Hurricane of the Pegasi."

Each pony stepped forward and bowed their head in acknowledgment. Star Swirl motioned to the alicorns.

"These are the sisters I was telling you about; Celestia and Luna."

Celestia and Luna bowed their heads, mimicking the others. Celestia raised her head and smiled.

"We're very pleased to meet you."

King Bullion stepped forward, looking both sisters over.

"I must say, Star Swirl wasn't exaggerating. I didn't know it was possible for there to be ponies like you."

Star Swirl chimed in.

"Alicorns."

Bullion nodded.

"Yes. Though I believe you two are younger than I imagined."

Chancellor Puddinghead came forward and nodded.

"Yes. I think we're all surprised by your youth. How old are you exactly? You both look to be in your teens at the latest."

Luna smiled.

"We might look that young, but in your years we're twenty-three and twenty-seven."

The three ponies looked at Star Swirl in shock. Commander Hurricane furrowed his brow.

"A curious race, wouldn't you say Star Swirl?"

Star Swirl nodded.

"Very. But that's what makes them the perfect candidates. They're young by their own standards, but old enough by ours to be respectable."

Puddinghead nodded.

"Of course. We're just a little...surprised."

Star Swirl nodded with a grumble and focus moved back to the sisters. Luna watched as Bullion walked around Celestia.

"Star Swirl here thinks you would be a good fit to rule Equestria. Do you think you're the right choice?"

Celestia didn't move. Luna could tell she was choosing her words carefully. She spoke slowly.

"I believe we can help unite the country. As to whether or not we're the right choice, that's entirely up to you three. Star Swirl has done his homework. Now it's time for you to consider us."

Luna nodded.

"We represent the best of every race; Unicorn, Earth Pony, and Pegasi. We don't cater to one kingdom or another. We're balanced between all of them."

Hurricane nodded.

"I like the sound of that."

Puddinghead cleared her throat.

"Do you mean to rule over us as well? We've been leaders for a long time. Surely we still hold some power?"

Luna looked at Celestia. How could they respond to that? But it seemed Celestia had an idea as she smiled, turning back to Puddinghead.

"Naturally you don't want to lose your power. We see ourselves more as...guardians of the realm and keepers of the peace. You still have leadership over your own kingdoms."

Her smile faded.

"But if you should cause trouble with each other, you won't hold that power for long. If we become the Princesses of Equestria, we will hold the final word over every one of you. Keep the peace, keep your power. Is that understood?"

The three ponies looked at her in shock for a moment. Luna felt the same. Had her sister just threatened them?!

It was silent for a few seconds. And then Hurricane laughed.

"She's got a pair! I don't know about you two, but I like them!"

Bullion nodded.

"Indeed. You make an excellent show of power. I'll be interested to see if you can back it up if necessary."

Puddinghead smiled.

"You both seem like strong mares. I think you're just what we need right now."

Star Swirl hurried forward.

"Excellent! I think that means we can go ahead with coronation plans, yes?"

He escorted the three ponies out, who had begun discussing responsibilities for the coming event. Star Swirl closed the door after them and sighed.

"That...was close."

He turned around, facing Celestia.

"That was quite the stunt to pull! What if they'd decided you were a power-hungry tyrant?!"

Celestia giggled.

"Come on Star Swirl. You know that they were testing us. They wanted to know if we were going to be their personal doormats."

Luna's brow arched. She hadn't picked up on that. But it seemed these two were in the know as Star Swirl smiled.

"Ah, so you did notice. Excellent. You're more perceptive than I give you credit for."

Luna lowered her gaze and sighed.

"I couldn't think of the right words to say. I'm sorry I wasn't more helpful."

Celestia wrapped a wing around her.

"It's okay. I'm sure you'll have plenty of chances to shine."

Luna nodded, allowing a small smile to form. Celestia was so confident in her new identity. She was definitely worthy of being a princess.

Her doubts festered as she considered the future. Would she be able to keep up with Celestia? Or was she always destined to be two steps behind her?